Outer Ring for VPI scout Without spending $$$$

I would suggest that VPI would make the best and cheapest outer ring for VPI's. I know Clearaudio make an outer ring, but that is a lot more expensive and it may not fit the VPI.
I think you are going to be plain out of luck with your price expectation.

I have the outer ring on my HR-X and it is good, however I don't use it except for really warped LP's, I am burning LP to CD or if I am feeling particulary anal. It just stays on the TT.

So my advise is to spend the 2-300 bucks on LP's and enjoy.

cheers Shane

I believe the VPI ring only fits the 12.25" platter. That's why you would have to buy the platter, bearing, and ring assembly.

The ClearAudio record weight is indexed, by machining the inside diameter of the record weight to the outside diameter of their platter. That is why Michael Fremer couldn't get the ClearAudio weight centered on his platter and worried about bearing wear and changes in pitch during playback.

George Merrill offered an outside weight years ago. It was cast not machined, which had the possibility of being out of balance. And again centering and fitting the record weight was by indexing off their platter.

The Sound Enginering is a fully machined stainless steel or brass weight, indexed off the outside diameter of the record and individually machined for the customers and cartridge. This provides a centered record weight for any platter and allows any cartridge to decend down into the lead-in groove without the body of the cartridge hitting the record weight.

Close tolerances and accurate fittting of the record weight is essential to both the sonic improvement and preventing premature wear on the spindle bearing. The labor involved in machining an outside record weight requires more than 5 hours of machining and places the record weight slightly higher than your $200-$300 target price.